Guatemalan Human Rights Attorney Joins SALT in SF

Edgar Perez has a compelling story.  Although raised in a poor section of the highlands of Guatemala, he got the chance to attend high school and then law school.  With those credentials, a personal history and a passion for justice, Edgar became a human rights attorney.  He almost had no choice.  He is currently representing eighteen survivors and/or families of victims in privately prosecuted human rights cases.  Read the SALT blog or this recent article from the Global Post.

Edgar Perez came to the SALT Annual Dinner to meet with SALT members so that we can enlist law professors to act as “witnesses” to the upcoming trials in Guatemala.  With a fragile infrastructure, many of the judges handling these cases are subject to intimidation and pressure to just get rid of these allegations of kidnapping, torture, murder, and rape.  Witnesses can strengthen the independence of the judiciary. 
In a two-hour briefing with Raquel Aldana, Luis Mogollon, Catherine Grosso, Lauren Carasik, Kathleen Bergin, and Hazel Weiser, Edgar explained the state of justice in Guatemala.

You can help in three ways: donations, telephone/letter campaign, and serving as a witness.

First, donations are welcome -

they can help enhance the safety of human rights defenders by providing reinforced office doors and security cameras, fund modest hotel rooms for witnesses and lawyers traveling on the long and perilous journey from the highlands, assist advocates with private transportation so they can avoid the public bus system (in which 450 bus drivers have been killed in the last year or so), provide laptops, and other important support.  One option is to give cash directly to Jennifer Harbury to distribute. This avoids any bureaucratic delay, and allows Jennifer more flexibility to deploy the donations in response to rapidly changing conditions.  She will make wise decisions.  You can send money to Jennifer Harbury, c/o Susan Law, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, 300 S. Texas Blvd, Weslaco, TX  78598.  Alternatively, you can donate to the Guatemala Human Rights Commission, a US 501(C)(3).  Please specify that your donation is for the War Crimes cases.

Second, phone calls and letters to officials in Guatemala and the US -

both now and when these cases go to trial, serve to direct international attention to Guatemala, and provide protection for the human rights defenders.  This tactic has made a measurable difference in the past, and it is critically important now to let Guatemala know that the world is watching as they confront the unimaginable horror of their history.  If you are interested in joining a phone tree or letter writing campaign that will be activated when circumstances warrant increased attention, please contact Lauren Carasik at lcarasik@gmail.com.

Finally, all the organizations, lawyers and witnesses agreed on one thing:  international observers coming before and during the trials shines the world’s spotlight on these proceedings, and those involved are less susceptible to extrajudicial assassination when protected by an international presence.

This is critical, since at least 115 human rights defenders have been killed since 2000, including two of the prosecutors in Jennifer’s case.  Law professors and lawyers are considered high status observers, and therefore are particularly important. If you are willing to be a front row observer in any of the upcoming trials, please contact Lauren Carasik at lcarasik@gmail.com.  What we will need from you is a firm commitment and some flexibility on your travel plans as dates can change with little notice. Currently, the first trial is scheduled for around mid-February. If you cannot attend, please consider donating money or transferable frequent flyer miles to allow others to go in your place.
 

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